We’re proud to have won the Diversity & Inclusion Award sponsored by Reach Plc at the Lincolnshire Business Awards 2025. Winning this award highlights our dedication to embedding inclusion and diversity across all aspects of our work and influencing positive change within our networks.

The 2025 awards, hosted by Lincolnshire Chamber of Commerce at the Lincolnshire Showground, on Friday 14 March, celebrated the outstanding achievements, innovation and resilience of organisations right here in Lincolnshire.

At Active Lincolnshire we’re committed to creating equitable environments, both within our organisation and through our role in influencing our networks. All our work is underpinned by our commitment to tackle inequalities in accessing sport and physical activity.  

Ian Brown, Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion Manager commented

This recognition isn't just for Active Lincolnshire, but for everyone who has been part of this journey—those who have supported, collaborated, and shared in the vision of making our sector more inclusive, diverse, and equitable. As leaders and change-makers in our field, we have a unique responsibility to ensure that all voices are heard and that opportunities are accessible to all. This is not just about fairness, it’s about driving innovation, fostering creativity, and building stronger, more resilient communities.

Here’s to the continued journey and to all the incredible work that lies ahead.

As Sport England's lead organisation to deliver the national ‘Uniting the Movement’ strategy in Lincolnshire, we support the local system to tackle the inequalities that exist in access to and participation in sport and physical activity. We advocate for change in the culture of sport and physical activity to one that values diversity, creating accessible activity opportunities that meet the needs of disadvantaged groups.

Key Initiatives and Achievements

To further our commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI), we have implemented impactful initiatives, including:

• Developed our Inclusive Language Guide
• In alignment with our EDI strategy, we have developed and published a ‘Diversity and Inclusion Action Plan’ (DIAP), outlining our commitments and actions to support Lincolnshire’s sport and physical activity sector.
• Established the Lincolnshire Sport and Physical Activity, Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion Advisory Group, which brings together representatives from various local organisations working with underrepresented communities. This gives invaluable lived experience insights to ensure that our programs truly meet the needs of those who face barriers.
• Conducting Equality Impact Assessments for all programmes and projects.
• Participating in the “Moving to Inclusion” national pilot alongside Sport England.
• Holding the status of a ‘Disability Confident Committed’ to enhance recruitment, retention, and development of people with disabilities.
• Increasing the diversity of nominations for our annual awards ceremony and introducing an Inclusion & Diversity Award.
• Actively contributing to the National Disability & Physical Activity Impact Collective, supporting evidence-based practices and continuous learning.
• Fostering a diverse workforce, representative of Lincolnshire demographics and additionally with 40% off staff declaring a disability.

The Lincolnshire Business Award judges mentioned that they were particularly impressed by our Inclusive Language Guide which we launched in 2024. The guide was created to support the Sport & Physical Activity sector to use language that is respectful of diversity and makes people feel valued and included.

Emma Tatlow, CEO of Active Lincolnshire commented:

"We are delighted to have won this award. Inclusion and diversity are at the heart of everything we do, and receiving this award is a testament to our ongoing commitment to tackling inequalities in accessing sport and physical activity. We strive to create equitable environments and drive meaningful change within the sport and physical activity sector.

While we are honored by this recognition, our journey toward greater inclusivity continues. This is not a one-time achievement—it’s a continuous commitment to pushing boundaries, challenging norms, and dismantling barriers. We remain committed to learning, evolving, and taking action to build a future where sport and physical activity are accessible to all."

Work with Us

If you'd like to work with us, learn more about our work in this area or join our EDI Advisory Group please do get in touch with our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Manger, Ian Brown; Ian.Brown@ActiveLincolnshire.com

Find out more about our Commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion and read our DIAP, (Diversity and Inclusion Action Plan) here.